Big Idea: Citizenship Online
Image from RDNE Stock Project on Pexels.
This week’s lecture really made me think about how to implement a balanced approach to technology in my teaching practice. I do think it is important to recognize the extent to which students are reliant on technology and to be realistic about your expectations of them—I especially liked the example Jesse used of the teacher who enforced the cell phone policy during classes but also gave their students a small break during which they could check their phones (provided they had complied with the policy for the rest of the class). I’ve also seen many teachers during my L2P who partially enforce the rules surrounding cell phones by ensuring that they are off during times of instruction but allowing them to be used for music during work periods. While I do acknowledge the importance of limiting cell phone use during class, I also think that showing some flexibility and meeting the students halfway can be beneficial both to the flow of your lessons and to the relationship you build with your class.
Image from Wikimedia Commons.
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For the most part, I think that Jesse and I have fundamentally different perspectives on technology. While he seems happy to integrate technology into every area of his life (including his fridge and washing machine), I tend to take a more conservative approach. I especially took issue with his portrayal of some of these changes as “inevitable,” as I feel like that idea downplays our own agency in favour of a constant march towards technological progress for its own sake without pausing to think critically about what this progress will cost us (AI is a good example). I also think that viewing technology as a “genie out of the bottle” situation is somewhat irresponsible, especially when it comes to its use in schools; to a certain extent, the idea that regulating students’ access to technology is an impossible feat allows teachers to become complacent and frees them from the difficult task of navigating things like the cell phone policy. Furthermore, I strongly believe that it is our responsibility as educators to be concerned with issues like dopamine addiction and to have an awareness of the ways in which technology could be negatively impacting our students’ mental health.